LinuxQuestions.org - Windows not communicating with Linux

I realize this is probably a Windows issue - if it is, feel free to move it to General.
Now, I have 2 computers, we'll call them slack (Slackware 192.1168.0.1) and win (WinME 192.168.0.2)
slack is connected to my cable modem, and has 2 nics
win is connected to slack via a crossover cable

Herein lies the problem. slack will communicate flawlessly with win

Code:

[scuzzy@slackdell /home/scuzzy]$ ping 192.168.0.2

PING 192.168.0.2 (192.168.0.2) 56(84) bytes of data.

64 bytes from 192.168.0.2: icmp_seq=1 ttl=128 time=3.32 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.2: icmp_seq=2 ttl=128 time=0.222 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.2: icmp_seq=3 ttl=128 time=0.215 ms

64 bytes from 192.168.0.2: icmp_seq=4 ttl=128 time=0.218 ms



--- 192.168.0.2 ping statistics ---

4 packets transmitted, 4 received, 0% packet loss, time 3000ms

rtt min/avg/max/mdev = 0.215/0.995/3.327/1.346 ms

[scuzzy@slackdell /home/scuzzy]$

but when I try communicating the other way, it keeps timing out. Is Samba required for even this type of operation? If not, what could be the problem. They are also both on a subnet mask of 255.255.255.0
Also - I've tried win2k - same issue
I'm going to, next weeked, get Knoppix and check the integrity of the nic - any othr tests that can be done right now?

[EDIT]
Just checked the integrity of the nic in both computers by hooking them to my cable modem - they both pull and ip and can route (browse the web) fine
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